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Is Google Scaring Partners into Microsoft's Arms?

Is Google's hunger for more Internet users biting it in the behind? That's the question lurking in my mind today as I mull Microsoft's win of Verizon and Dell as new distributors for Live Search, deals Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announced at the Consumer Electronics Show yesterday, Jan.

Further reading

I asked Google about whether or not it was surprised and concerned by Verizon's deal with Microsoft, which Search Engine Land's Greg Sterling correctly sees as a risk for Verizon given that Microsoft is hardly an established player in mobile search. I also asked Google if it saw Verizon's gamble on Microsoft as retribution for Google's 700MHz auction gambit.

The coy company response was:

"We're passionate believers in competition that's good for users. We're committed to working with industry leaders to provide the best user experience possible and develop innovative products and services."

Did you really think Google would take the bait? Anyway, here's what I believe.

I can't help but wonder if Verizon's deal with Microsoft is a little old-fashioned payback. Why else would Verizon partner with what many consider is an inferior search product to Google?

Google is the clear No. 1 search provider, with a daunting 63 percent or so of the market for searches. Because of this position of power, Google regularly raises privacy advocates' hackles because of its potential to collect reams of data about us.

I can't prove that fear is the reason why Verizon and others are shying away from Google, but do I believe it? You bet I do. Google is frightening a lot of people these days, forcing Microsoft to desperately strike mobile and desktop search deals to stop losing search share.

It's the nature of things for people to fear the beast. That beast is Microsoft on the desktop, but it's Googlezilla on the Web.

Of course, if you're a pragmatic person, you might choose to believe the motives of Verizon, Dell, Sun and others that opt for Microsoft or any other option over Google in search are monetary. But I think Verizon and others are sick, and perhaps more than a little wary, of Google's broadening expansion online.

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